The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-10-11

with his spoon until his mother inn
prisoned the chubby hand.
Colin essayed smile with his dry
lips.
AS he pushed back his chair and
rose from the table, he said, 81 forgot
to tell you, Lucy, that ! have to 90
across the river to night to see Toland
on business, and shan't be able to
get back until tomorrow"
"Oh, Colin" cried Lucy, mournfully,
81 hate to have you stay out all
night. I'm always afraid something
will happen to you-that I'll never
see you again"
"Well, needn'tgo until 10 o'clock"
Jacky, who was always unpleasant
y wide awake in the evening, was al
Vowed to sit up in honor OF his fathers
n expected departure. Lucy sat beside
her husband, with her hands clasped
around his arm, talking In her simple
b way. but he scarcely heard her.
His heart was full OF the many things
he wished to say to her before they
parted forever, yet he dared not
speak any last words. His flesh quiv-
cred whenever the clock struck.
Presently he sprang to his feet, not
daring to stay any longer.
81 must go, Lucy" he said.
you'll como home early in the
morning, won't you, Colin, dear2"
.she asked.
ayes, I'll come home early"
"And | must bring you thicker
coat to wear" added the thoughtful
wife" "betause it may turn chilly"
He took her in his arms and pressed
her close against his heart. He looked
Mt her bright hair lying upon his breast
for the last time. Then ne kissed the
child, who glanced ,ny carelessly and
went back to his blaythings as his
father passed out at the door.
Bnt when Colin was half way down
the garden path, he suddenly returned.
"Have you forgotten anything,
DEAR" Lucy asked.
"My-my stick" he stammered.
"May be it's in the corner. Why,
you silly fellow, you have it under
your arm" she laughed, her pretty
Y face sparkling with smiles at his stu
(pidity.
Colin stood in the middle OF the
- room, looking haggardly about him.
He gave second embrace to his wife,
and, without looking at Jacky, he
plunged out iuto the night.
Lucy held up Jacky at the door,
that he might see how the leaping ray
OF the lantern sprang forward into
the darkness.
"Dere's-my-papa," Colin heard
the little voice cry out, and he knew
that the chubby forefnger was point
ing after him.
"Papa's gonel Papa gone!" said
Lucy, in the singing tone supposed to
be soothing to the infant mind, and
Colin heard the door shut. 1t had
closed forever between him and them.
He stopped short in the middle OF
the road.
"Oh God can't leave them" he
said with n sob.
Still he knew he must go on.
He rowed in his skiff to the appoint
ed spot; but when he reached it the
woman was not there.
He stood and waited, his heart
plunging at every chance noise. The
sudden shrek of an owl made the cold
drops started upon his forehead. The
nlrogs laughed hoarsely from the neigh
firing swamps, and the river flowed
st, ghostly in the uncertain light.
he white mist chung to the water.
4 The opposite bank was n coniectural
region, and the trees bushes near at
hand had the wavering ndistinct out
lines Of things seen in dream. There
was no moon, but the sky was thick
with stars.
He strained his ear to catch the
echo OF an approaching football; but
the murmurs OF the night seemed to
fall around him like veil OF sound.
Her delay was both n relief and q
terror to him.
Must it be? Must it be? His mind
stumbled again and again over the
same dark thought. There were
other ways-one other way. A man 8
strength against woman's-and in
this lonely spot.
His clothes were dark with mois-
ture, and his limbs trembled beneath
him. Still she did not come.
The night was growing cate. A
steamboat passed, in great glare OF
light that streamed from every pore.
AS it approached the village it lifted
up mighty voice out OF the darkness
three deep melancholy notes that
died into ~ wall. He could hear the
labored breathing of the engines and
the rush and struggle OF the water as
a landing was made.
Hour after hour passed, and he
knew that day was at hand. 1t was
more feeling than an appearance.
First the whip poor-wills forbore to
cry. There was hush in the air; n